[Featured image from Eat Bulaga Facebook Page] The ALDUB 16th Weeksary episode started half an hour early. Not really that common. Donya Tinidora almost complained about the unfinished makeup. But it was clear how the impending arrival of their aunt Donya Bebeng affected their manners. Donya Tidora was not her usual screaming self. And Donya Tinidora was not her usual wild dancey self. Lola Nidora found it easy to go back to her “mannered” ways. She simply had to tone down her dance moves.
The KalyeSerye commentators recalled what exactly were Donya Bebeng’s instructions to her nieces. “Bawal ang maiksing damit. Bawal ang maingay. Bawal ang magaslaw kumilos. At higit sa lahat, bawal ang pangit.” (Short dresses not allowed. Loud noise not allowed. Wild behavior not allowed. And most of all, ugly people not allowed.) This was why despite her behavior. Lola Nidora had second thoughts about showing up. “Kaya nga hindi ko alam kung papasok ako eh.” (That’s why I don’t know if I will come.) It was a problem that reached the ALDUB 16th Weeksary commemoration.
Lola Nidora fetched YayaDUB while Donya Tidora and Donya Tinidora handled the Sugod Bahay errand. YayaDUB arrived by the time the errand is over. [Maine Mendoza allegedly was from her shooting chores at her first film, My Bebe Love.] But she was already looking around for Alden. It’s the ALDUB 16th Weeksary. And whether Alden prepared a surprise for YayaDUB or not. YayaDUB still looked for him.
Lola Nidora’s now complete entourage picked a house where they can welcome Donya Bebeng better. It was a setting similar to the day Lola Nidora announced ALDUB The Big Surprise. But this time Donya Tidora was with them. No word as to where Alden was. No hint from the monitor nor a hint from the KalyeSerye commentators. Where in the world was Alden Richards when it is supposed to be the ALDUB 16th Weeksary?
All sisters were present with YayaDUB in the ALDUB 16th Weeksary episode. A car horn was heard from the outside. Somebody arrived with Tia Kakang, Donya Bebeng’s messenger with the ugly feet. The camera first focused on 2 pairs of feet before revealing who Donya Bebeng is. [It was the Queen of Philippine Movies, THE Gloria Romero. A clear indicator how special the ALDUB 16th Weeksary episode was treated.] She was first assisted to the room by Tia Kakang before Donya Tinidora took over.
Donya Bebeng was happy to see everyone. But she didn’t mask her disappointment. She said that she had to be the one visiting them just so they can remember. And she seemed updated too at the ALDUB 16th Weeksary episode. She learned of the major event done at the family bungalow without Donya Bebeng getting invited. Donya Tidora and Donya Tinidora were quick to pin the blame on Lola Nidora for everything. Lola Nidora had a “ready” explanation for the unsent invitation. “Na-hack ang phone ko.” (My phone was hacked.) It was tough to explain to her what “hacked” meant.
Donya Bebeng wasn’t angry. But she’s hurt over being ignored. Also, she’s upset that Lola Nidora is becoming lenient towards YayaDUB. At the ALDUB New Character episode, Donya Bebeng made specific instructions regarding men. No men allowed. It wasn’t clear whether Donya Bebeng herself got married. While Lola Nidora initially mentioned their aunt as from Cebu. Donya Bebeng later shared an Ilocano folk song with Donya Tinidora. Donya Tinidora kept on feeding Donya Bebeng info about how Lola Nidora was lenient as opposed to her and Donya Tidora. They must have been so scared of Donya Bebeng. Scared enough to throw Lola Nidora under the bus at the ALDUB 16th Weeksary.
Lola Nidora is clearly terrified of Donya Bebeng. But it was this attitude that made Lola Nidora trust her aunt at the time she was hiding YayaDUB from Isadora. And her own sisters are not helping at the ALDUB 16th Weeksary episode. Donya Tinidora fed the misinformation to Donya Bebeng about Lola Nidora’s leniency. [It was for laughs, of course. Classic Donya Tinidora.] Lola Nidora reasoned out that Alden proved himself worth of YayaDUB. She may be shaken as she tried to explain herself to their aunt. But she tried.
And so Alden has arrived for his ALDUB 16th Weeksary surprise. He sung his heart out while holding a heart-shaped piece of cut styrofoam with the word “ALDUB” written on it. Lola Nidora and Donya Tidora went out of the house to greet him and brace him of Donya Bebeng’s presence. Lola Nidora risked facing Donya Bebeng’s snobbish behavior just so she cannot spoil the ALDUB 16th Weeksary. But she’s worried at how Donya Bebeng would react to facing Alden too. Alden didn’t feel like retreating anyway. So he asked himself to be let him. The two grannies let him.
Donya Bebeng asked Donya Tinidora at who in his right mind would serenade at high noon. Serenades were usually delivered in the evening in her time. Alden was so nervous at meeting Donya Bebeng at the ALDUB 16t Weeksary episode. He forgot he already paid his respects to her twice. Donya Bebeng herself was annoyed at Alden for that minor flaw. Alden gave his bouquet of roses to YayaDUB and said his piece. “Ang ALDUB daw po is the best, kasi ito daw po ay MAIDEN heaven!” (They said ALDUB is the best because it was maid in heaven.) [It was a cute play on the phrase “made in” to form the word “MAIDEN”.] Donya Bebeng is not impressed.
Donya Bebeng wasn’t rude to Alden. But she immediately analyzed Alden’s character. She skipped on asking his age, his college degree (if any) and his family background. “Saan ka ba nagtatrabaho?” (Where do you work?) For Alden, either it was less a case of “where” or he was too nervous to even think of his actual place of work in his reply. “Artista po ako.” (I am an actor.) Donya Bebeng wasn’t impressed at all. In fact, it made her extra suspicious of Alden as a person in the ALDUB 16th Weeksary. “Artista ka? Naku! Ang daming humahanga sa yo. Marami kang nililigawan?” (You’re an actor? Oh dear! So many admire you. You woo a lot of girls?) Alden denied it. “Isa lang po. Loyal po ako.” (Only one. I am loyal.)
Donya Bebeng asked Alden questions an inquisitive mother would usually ask her daughter’s suitor. “Mabubuhay mo ba si Yaya pag pinakasalan mo siya? Marunong ka bang magluto? Maglaba? Magplantsa?” (Can you give nanny a good life once you marry her? Can you cook? Do the laundry? Iron clothes?) Alden simply said yes. Donya Bebeng’s distrustful attitude towards Alden was reminiscent of the stern behavior Lola Nidora had over Alden prior to her sisters’ arrival.
At the ALDUB 16th Weeksary. Donya Bebeng is clearly the old-fashioned matron that the Kalye’s Angels described her to be. So much that she openly expressed her doubts as to whether Alden can stand the test of time. She even mentioned how courtships could go 12 to 15 years before it ends up in marriage. Alden was persistent. “Kaya ko pong maghintay.” (I can wait.) Donya Bebeng quickly expressed her skepticism. “Imposible! Sa guapo mong yan!” (Impossible! With a face that handsome!) Donya Bebeng commented on how persistent Alden was. On whether she meant it as a good thing or bad thing is anyone’s guess.
Donya Bebeng was biased in favor of the long engagement as opposed to the 16 weeks commemorated at the ALDUB 16th Weeksary. She only learned of the word “weeksary” upon her arrival. So it had to be explained to her that the weeksary referred to celebrating the weeks that Alden and YayaDUB had known each other. Lola Nidora got worried about the 15 years. She doesn’t believe herself to live that long.
Donya Tinidora then asked Donya Bebeng. “Di ba makikilala mo lang ang isang tao pag nasa isang bubong kayo?” (Isn’t it that you only discover the true character of a person once you live under one roof?) Donya Bebeng said yes. YayaDUB then asked. “Ibig sabihin po dapat magsama na kami?” (Does it mean we should live together now?) Donya Bebeng and the rest of the grannies were flabbergasted. Alden kept his ground at the ALDUB 16th Weeksary. “Tia Bebeng, nangangako po ako na handa po akong maghintay at gagawin ko po lahat para kay Yaya.” (Aunt Bebeng, I promise that I am willing to wait and I will do everything for nanny.)
The ALDUB 16th Weeksary also reflected the youth’s fascination with relishing every week, day, hour or second. Alden summarized it best. “Ganun po siya ka-special, Tia Bebeng. Kung puede nga po may daysary!” (That is how special she is to me! If ever, we’d like to celebrate daysaries!) YayaDUB supported it further. “Hoursary. Minutesary. Secondsary.” Lola Nidora had to remind her to keep her behavior on check. Being in the presence of Donya Bebeng meant watching every little thing they said and did.
Alden then cut to the chase on why he dared face Donya Bebeng at the ALDUB 16th Weeksary. “Payagan nyo na po kami. Sasali po kami sa Sabado sa Gaya Gaya Pa More.” (Please allow us. We would like to join Gaya Gaya Pa More on Saturday.) Donya Bebeng was defiant. “Ayoko.” (I don’t want to.) YayaDUB joined in begging Donya Bebeng. “Sige na po.” (Please.)
Donya Bebeng didn’t like it that YayaDUB quickly fell for Alden. “Hija, in love ka ba?” (Dear, are you in love?) Now it was YayaDUB’s turn to get shocked. “Po? Wala naman pong ganyanan!” (Pardon? Not that trope please!) Alden even knelt down in front of Donya Bebeng to beg for her approval. After sensing Alden would really spend time kneeling down to wait for her approval. Donya Bebeng eventually said yes. Big Bang’s Fantastic Baby played in the background. Long enough to remind people of Donya Bebeng’s ground rules. The truck horn honked just in time to see Alden and YayaDUB happy.
Could this be just a one-time appearance for Donya Bebeng? She immediately warmed up to the audience. Must have been the effect of Ms. Gloria Romero. Tune in to Eat Bulaga. Monday to Saturday at noontime. Like Eat Bulaga’s official Facebook page to catch the ALDUB 16th Weeksary episode replay.
Episodes like the ALDUB 16th Weeksary episode keep on sparking the public’s interest. What else could be in store for Alden and YayaDUB? More episode recaps to come here at our website. So might as well follow us through our social media accounts. Like our official Facebook page, The Philippines Web. And follow us on Twitter @pinasamazing. We’d be expecting you.
